A Lot of Gall

So, I was going to keep it quiet that yesterday morning, June 5, 2024, I had my gall bladder removed due to gall stones.  (I no longer have a lot of gall.)  That's what caused me all the pain that sent me to the ER on Christmas day and again a few weeks after.  Outpatient procedure- was home by 10 am.  Ate a little something and took a nap...

Gall Bladder.  Looks like a Lovecraftian slug

Photo source

Then woke up in incredible pain- even more than the gallstones.  It hurt so bad, I could barely move my diaphragm, so I could barely breathe.  I was pouring sweat, yet no temperature.   Linda had gone to get my pain killer prescription, so I was alone.  I felt like I was going to pass out.  So I called the hospital for instructions.  They told me to call 911, which I did.   

First, Linda returned.  Then two police officers showed up.  They told me the ambulance was coming soon.  Seemed like an eternity.  After a bit, the ambulance arrived.  They couldn't find a vein for an IV (they tried and missed), so they gave me an intermuscular shot of fentanyl using a huge needle.  The ambulance ride was really bumpy, and really hurt.  It was like they had lead pipes for shock absorbers.

I couldn't breathe- it hurt so bad.  The paramedics said I was pale grey, like death.  (Technical term is cyanotic, in case you're wondering.)

When they got me into the emergency room, the fentanyl started kicking in, making me dopey.  The nurses drew blood (that was an experience as well) and I waited.  I talked to the male nurse.  He was a combat medic (Navy) attached to the 78th Company, 6th Marines (He had a tattoo saying 78th), which was a famous unit in World War 1.  He did three tours in Afghanistan and one at Gitmo before mustering out. Linda arrived a while later with a book and my phone charger... but I'd forgotten my glasses, so it didn't matter.

Blood test came back negative for sepsis. Probable explanation:  During surgery, they inflated my abdomen with carbon dioxide to give more room to work (laparoscopic pneumoperitoneum).  At the end, they let out the air... but not all of it escaped.  They told me to expect gas to escape from forward and rear orifices... but it didn't.  So... the pain.  The gas was compressing my diaphragm, which was why I couldn't breathe.

Yep, that's how I felt.

They injected me with oxytocin and gave me the option of leaving or staying overnight.  I chose home.  I can't afford an overnight stay.  I was still doped up, but going back to the apartment.

Bill: $300 co-pay.  No idea for much the ambulance cost.  Sigh.  

Today, it still hurts, but nowhere near as badly.  I'm rationing the pain pills, as I don't have many.  Also drinking a LOT of water and taking Dulcolax as the pills tend to cause constipation, and I'm in no condition to fight that.

Why am I posting all this?  Well, if you're having intense abdominal pain, and doctors can't figure it out, it may be gallstones.  Also, I felt like posting it.  So there.

My stylish gown, post-surgery

Be well.